Organic and All Natural Personal Care Products: Why?

Everyday we are exposed to a multitude of contaminates and toxins from the air we breathe, the clothes we wear and the personal care products we use.  Most of us don’t stop to think about the risk we take when we constantly put chemicals into and onto our bodies and often it is assumed that if it is for sale then it is tested and safe.  Wouldn’t the health regulations make sure everything is safe to use?  Not really.  Below are the top factors in why we should think twice before going for the conventional personal care products.

Poor Regulation:  Personal care products are a part of the United States Cosmetics Industry and since 1938 this industry has been self regulated.  Additionally the manufactures have no federal review or approval process.  The ingredients used are often synthetic; in fact there are over 10,000 chemicals that are used in personal care products with only about 11 percent of them being tested for health and safety of its users.  Many of the chemicals used are proven to be toxic.

 Toxic Chemicals:  A few of the toxic chemicals used in many personal care products sold today include Parabens, Propylene Glycol, Lauramide and Sodium Laurel Sulfate.  These chemicals can cause health concerns, especially when used over a long period of time and when you consider we begin in infancy we set ourselves up for a lifetime of toxic chemical exposure.  Propylene Glycol is used in brake fluid and antifreeze.  Additionally this toxic chemical has been shown to cause kidney and liver damage.  Parabens mimic estrogen and is linked to breast cancer.  Two foaming agents widely used are Lauramide and Sodium Laurel Sulfate is carcinogenic.  Take a look at the ingredients on your personal care products and compare it to a directory of toxic chemicals available for your use.

 Petroleum Use:  In a recent study by a not for profit environmental group shows that over half of the baby soaps and many common personal care products using petroleum bases also contain a carcinogen 1,4-dioxane.   The study went on to show that 80% of cosmetic products contained one or more carcinogenic impurities including formaldehyde, hydroquinone, ethylene dioxide, PAH’s, nitrosamines and acrylamides.  To avoid the top carcinogens avoid products with ingredient lists that include: PEG, xynol, sodium laureth sulfate and oleth.  Additionally, the report suggested using only organic products to avoid a host of problems; environmental and health related.  Environmentally, avoiding petroleum based personal care products helps to reduce the non renewable oil usage.  Remember, if you can’t eat it you shouldn’t wear it!

 Poor Labeling for Safety:  This issue is not one that is designed to protect the consumer but more to protect the manufacture.  There are no safety regulations that specify a product must be tested; however, if not tested it must have a warning of the fact that it is untested.  What is worse is that if tested the results do not have to be reported and a product that has been tested and kills 50% of the animals used in the testing can still receive a federal safety recommendation of being non toxic.  Harsh chemicals and poor ethics combine to bombard our bodies with chemicals, additives and synthetically created fragrance.

 Harmful Fragrance and Animal Testing:  The personal care products we use everyday are loaded with about 5,000 fragrance additives and most are synthetically created and are not required to include ingredients.  The fact is fragrances are one leading contributor to headaches, asthma and allergic reactions as well as harsh chemical additives contributing to health concerns.  An additional problem with conventional personal care products is the animal testing that takes place.  Of all the animals used for testing purposes only about 27% are actually used for medical research with the remaining 73% being used to promote consumer products.  Products listed as Organic will never use animal testing.

 Now that we can see distinct reasons why we really should avoid using the conventional personal care products we can look at the alternatives and why we should make the move to organic personal care products.

 Natural Ingredients:  Organic and all natural personal care products use only natural, sustainable and organic ingredients in the manufacture of the product.  Ingredients that are found naturally in nature as well as using minimal processing allows the natural essence and benefits to remain in the product nourishing your body, skin and hair.

 Natural Fragrance:  The natural fragrances found in organic personal care products are derived from natural essential oils and offer wonderful scent combinations that add to the health benefits of the product.  Damaging synthetic fragrances are never used in organic products.

 Eco-Friendly Production:  The Cosmetics industry accounts for a large portion of the manufacturing industry and by using eco-friendly manufacturing processes you are assured that you are supporting a health Earth. 

 No Petroleum:  Organic care products will never include petroleum in their ingredients and therefore, in using organics, you lessen your carbon footprint and your impact on the Earth.  Recycling the packaging will increase the Earth friendly effects.

 It is really easy to see the difference between the conventional products and organics.  It is true, conventional products are often very inexpensive and this is often due to the manufacturing process coming from sweatshops and shipped overseas.   Many large companies are beginning to offer organic products at inflated prices as well.  Organics may cost a bit more because the process in manufacture will always include fair trade practices and the ingredients and natural and of exceptionally high quality ensuring the health and safety of the product.  Products such as Flower-Child Organics offers organic products at affordable prices and are manufactured by a small family owned company by people who have a passion for your health and the health of the Earth.

For more information on how to find Flower-Child Organics go to: Flower-Child Organics